Kilchoman 14 year old - Family Collection - Bourbon Cask Matured - Rockside Barley

Profile: An Overview of Kilchoman 14 year old – Family Collection – Bourbon Cask Matured – Rockside Barley

• Aged exclusively in ex-bourbon casks for over 14 years
• Distilled from 100% Islay malt (Rockside Barley) – with a phenol content of 20 ppm
• Part of the strictly limited Family Collection 2026
• Personally selected by the five members of the founding Wills family
• Presented in an exclusive, premium gift box
• Natural state – bottled without coloring and without chill-filtration

Portrait: What makes the Kilchoman 14 year old – Family Collection – Bourbon Cask Matured – Rockside Barley special

Some families collect stamps; others get together on Sundays for cake. The Wills family, however, prefers to check which of their rarest casks deserve a place in an exclusive whisky series. The result of this truly enviable family tradition is the Kilchoman Family Collection, which includes the Kilchoman 14 Year Old – Bourbon Cask Matured – Rockside Barley.

Kilchoman Farm Distillery was founded in 2005 on the Scottish island of Islay and is now counted among Scotland’s most exciting independent distilleries. Set amidst the Atlantic, sandy beaches, and rugged landscape, the distillery pursues a concept that few others implement: a significant portion of production—from growing the barley to distillation—takes place right on the farm itself. The only shorter journey would be from the field to the maltings.

Following the huge success of the Anniversary Casks released to mark the distillery's 20th anniversary, the Family Collection arrives as the next strictly limited series. Four carefully selected bottlings reflect the personal preferences of the five members of the founding Wills family while simultaneously telling the story of Kilchoman’s steady evolution. Ranging from an 11-year-old Sherry cask release to the distillery’s oldest bottling to date—an impressive 20 years old—the collection powerfully demonstrates the diverse impact that maturation and cask selection can have.

However, the 14-year-old Rockside Barley plays a very special role within the series.It was distilled in 2011 from barley grown directly at Kilchoman’s Rockside Farm, malted on-site, and subsequently matured entirely in bourbon casks. With a phenol content of 20 ppm, it stands out clearly from the more heavily peated expressions in the Family Collection, impressively underscoring the distillery’s "farm-to-bottle" philosophy.

The presentation also befits its exclusive character. The premium gift box in distinctive Kilchoman blue gives the limited edition an elegant appearance. After all, a whisky that has practically grown up on its own farm deserves to make its debut in style.

Tasting Notes: The Kilchoman 14 year old – Family Collection – Bourbon Cask Matured – Rockside Barley

• Nose: Fresh citrus notes meet ripe apples, pears, and delicate vanilla. These are complemented by floral accents, honey, light malt, and an elegant note of smoke. Subtle herbal notes and a hint of oak add further complexity.
• Palate: Full-bodied and balanced, featuring a harmonious blend of sweet malt, creamy vanilla, and fruity notes of apple, pear, and lemon zest. A gentle peat note accompanies the interplay of flavors, while delicate spices, toasted almonds, and a pleasant oak spiciness provide depth.
• Finish: Long and balanced, with lingering notes of vanilla, light oak, and delicate peat smoke. Fruity accents and subtle spice notes gradually fade, leaving an elegant, pleasantly dry finish.